Linchpin Tim Cahill has warned Australia will get punished far worse in the World Cup if basic blunders continue.
But Cahill believes the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign remains on track despite a lacklustre 1-1 draw against South Africa on Monday night.
“You make mistakes and you make them in a game like this where teams can punish, and in the World Cup it will be even worse,” said Cahill, who scored Australia’s goal.
“But it was about us and the way we wanted to play.
“We played some good football in the first 20, 25 minutes. It was just a pity we couldn’t score first and then they went up the other end and got a light goal.”
Cahill said Australia’s heavy training workload in the past 10 days took a toll.
“It’s all about peaking at the right time,” he said.
“I was happy in general. We’ll work hard now. That was never ever going to be the finished product, for a fact.”
Cahill said Australia would be stronger when captain Mile Jedinak (groin) and veteran midfielder Mark Bresciano (back) return.
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Both missed the South African friendly, as did defender Matthew Spiranovic (ankle).
“We have got Mile, Bresh, Spiranovic – there’s a lot of boys that can add to the squad,” Cahill said.
“All I know is there is so much depth in this squad.”
